Tag: Payer Relations
Melanie Ewald: ‘My vision is to develop a roadmap'
May 16, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Melanie Ewald is looking forward to digging into payer relations and reimbursement work on an industry level in her new role at VGM & Associates.
“Being able to use my expertise to educate stakeholders but also engage and interact with HME providers directly – this kind of role was always one that was attractive to me,” said Ewald, who was recently named vice president of payer relations and reimbursement for the company. “It’s both the...
VGM adds payer relations expert
April 14, 2025HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Government Relations has added Melanie Ewald to its team as vice president of payer relations. Ewald’s previous experience includes roles in a holistic hospital-based clinic, the Minnesota Hospital Association and the DME industry. “As a payer relations expert, Melanie has honed her skills in payer contracting, enrollment, credentialing, compliance and audits,” VGM stated. “Her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and optimize payer...
AAHomecare to grow payer relations team
January 16, 2025HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - AAHomecare is currently searching for a new senior manager of payer relations. The person will be responsible for working in conjunction with payer relations leadership in developing an ongoing industry strategy involving commercial managed care, Medicaid managed care organizations, Medicare Advantage, and state Medicaid programs. AAHomecare is looking for someone to develop ongoing relationships with payers, industry stakeholders at state/regional associations, manufacturers, providers,...
Stakeholders discuss ‘moving the bar’ with payers
June 26, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – In a health care market where payer networks are getting narrower and more complicated, it’s important for HME providers to equip themselves with strategies to be noticed and heard, a panel of stakeholders emphasized at VGM’s Heartland Conference on June 11.
“We’ve been pretty proactive about creating a story,” said James Russell, owner and vice president of URS Medical in Waco, Texas, which is part of Pediatric Home Service. “Some...
NCART announces Lee’s departure, seeks payer relations manager
December 18, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART has announced that Mickae Lee, associate director, is leaving the organization on Jan. 1, 2024.
She will remain in the industry, working in a government relations role, according to NCART.
“It has been a privilege to be part of the NCART team and I am beyond grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve been afforded during my time here,” Lee said. “It is a true honor to be surrounded by such an incredible group of fellow advocates...
Alexis Ward on the power of ‘real wins’
June 21, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – It’s easy to get frustrated with insufficient reimbursement and coverage, but Alexis Ward, who joined AAHomecare as a senior director of payer relations this week, always applies the “Golden Rule” – even to payers.
“Treat the payers as you would want to be treated,” she said. “If you met a new friend at work, you wouldn’t want them to just jump right into asking you to donate to the school fundraiser. You would want to spend...
ATF Medical adds payer specialist
May 22, 2023HME News Staff
NEWNAN, Ga. - Abbi Akstulewicz has joined ATF Medical in the newly created position of director of payer partnerships. Working closely with Brendan Swift, vice president of payer partnerships and marketing, Akstulewicz will develop partnership strategies and nurture relationships with payer partners throughout the U.S., with a focus on complex claims. “Abbi’s deep passion to serve injured workers combined with her desire for strong payer relationships make her a great fit for our culture...
AAH expands payer relations team
May 2, 2023HME News Staff
ARLINGTON, Va. – AAHomecare has added Alexis Ward as senior director of payer relations effective June 19 to bolster its advocacy capabilities in critical areas. Ward’s background in working with Medicaid authorities, managed care organizations (MCOs) and insurance companies will allow the association to broaden its work toward sustainable reimbursement and robust network access for HME providers among the increasingly important non-Medicare payers, the association says. “We’re...
AAHomecare gets to work on Medicaid reimbursement
January 12, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s Payer Relations Team has begun a nationwide campaign to work with state/regional association leaders to better align state Medicaid rates with higher costs.
The association says HME providers are experiencing increasing product prices and operational costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, as well as ongoing inflation pressures.
“Our work will include requesting that rates reflect the 6.4%+ CPI-U increases granted by...
Medtrade West preview: Position yourself as a partner
April 1, 2022By Tracy Orzel
PHOENIX – When an HME provider approaches a managed care organization for the first time, 98% of the time they’re going to hear no, says Julie Rhodovi, senior vice president, payor and regulatory relations, RestorixHealth and AMT. Here’s what Rhodovi, who will be hosting a session at Medtrade West on managed care, has to say about winning insurers over and why it’s worth it.
HME News: What do providers need to keep in mind when it comes to managed care?
Julie...